Michael Rhodes Sjoblom 1940-2022

SJOBLOM, COFFIN

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 7/10/2022 at 17:00:58

Michael Rhodes Sjoblom,(“Old Mike”) was born on February 17, 1940, in Antigo, Wisconsin to Maurice and Beatrice Sjoblom. He passed away on June 24, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 82.

After his high school graduation, Mike enlisted in the Marine Corp. He served oversees in the JAG corps. Later, he was stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina. While he was stationed there, he met Barbara Coffin as they both were working at the officer’s club. On July 9, 1960, they were married in Reynolds, Indiana and began their lifetime of love.

Following his discharge from the Marine Corp, they moved to Wolcott, Indiana. He worked for Jack Gray Trucking and for his in-laws, Martin and Martha Coffin at their restaurant, The Country Inn. He then began working at Arts-Way Mfg. in Wolcott. After a fire destroyed the Arts-Way Wolcott plant, the family relocated to the Armstrong – Ringsted area with Arts-Way. A few years later, he started a part-time painting business with Raymond Sanders called S & S Service (Sanders and Sjoblom). Then, in 1975, he and Barbara created MichaelSon Inc. It was a joy for him to work alongside his son. He enjoyed working and he had a very strong work ethic. He worked up until 2 weeks before his death, when his health declined rapidly.

On April 2, 2013, Barbara passed away after a battle with cancer. In late 2014, Mike started corresponding with Barb Mullen Jones. The two shared many common interests and enjoyed spending time together. Mike found love for a second time.

Mike spent a lifetime loving his family, building a business, and supporting his community. He served on the Armstrong City Council and the Emmet County Handicap Organization (ECHO). He always enjoyed the annual family trip in his motor home, fires in his fireplace, checking on job sites and reading. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner.

Mike is survived by his son, Michael(Sharon) Sjoblom of Milford, Iowa; daughters Martha (Dennis) Olson of Ringsted, Iowa, Mary (Richard) Hersom of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Margaret (Todd) Gochanour of Fairmont, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth, Eric, Erin, Micaela (Ryan), Mallory, Mariah, and Andrew, three great-grandchildren: Carter, Isaac, and Rhett, fiancé Barb, brother William, sister-in-law Donna and brother-in-law Denny.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, two brother-in-laws, a sister-in-law and two nephews.

A visitation was held Wednesday, June 29, 2002 at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Armstrong. A private family service and interment to be held at a later date at Armstrong Grove Cemetery in Armstrong.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)